ALLEN PARK — When an offense falls apart, it’s the quarterback who is targeted for the blame.

Meet Matthew Stafford.

After a 6-3 start, when Stafford performed admirably, the Lions have lost five of their last six games.

In those five losses Stafford’s completion percentage is 50 percent and he’s thrown a dozen interceptions. In comparison, in the first nine games, he threw just seven.

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“I think there were times in this run when he was overly aggressive, I think he’d probably even tell you that,’’ coach Jim Schwartz said. “Again, that’s a tough situation, you’ve got Calvin Johnson you put the ball up and he can come down with the, that gets your confidence up pretty good but not all of them are going to be successful.

“I thought we were very efficient on offense, we ran the ball efficiently, the turnovers stopped drives. It wasn’t because Matt was over aggressive or making bad decisions,’’ the coach added.

Schwartz has always been Stafford’s biggest fan. He has confidence the good Stafford will return although he’s been saying that for weeks.

“I don’t think he needs anything other than to keep playing, whether you have a slump in free throws or batting slump or something else,’’ Stafford said. “I think you have to stick with your fundamentals, I think he’s done a really good job with that. I think you have to practice well, I think he’s don a good job with that. His preparation has been outstanding, I think that over the course of time his talent will show. He was playing really well for us this year, he’ll continue to play well for us.’’

In Sunday’s loss Stafford was 25 of 42 for 222 yards, two interceptions and zero touchdowns.

Waiting game for Calvin

Even though Sunday’s game at Minnesota doesn’t have any playoff consequences, there’s still a chance that Calvin Johnson will play.

Johnson was not full speed against the Giants, slowed down by knee and ankle injuries.

“I think everyone of our players, and goes for all 53 guys on the team, they’re competitive they want to go out and play you only get 16 games a year, he’s no different,’’ Schwartz said.

Johnson couldn’t make his injuries worse by playing. He has struggled most of the season with the knee issues and hasn’t been able to practice often.

Dickerson’s concussion

Tight end Dorin Dickerson said after the game that he’d been knocked out on a special teams play early in the fourth quarter. He thought he could fight through it, but didn’t tell trainers until overtime when he dropped a pass and then was penalized for holding on consecutive plays.

Schwartz said they had scanned film to find the play where he was injured. They never saw him on the turf.

If a player is knocked unconscious, he can’t re-enter the game per NFL rules.

“That’s one that you have to have your players report those,’’ Schwartz said. “The trainers aren’t able to see everything.’’

Dickerson was in for treatment on Monday, the players’ day off.

A win would mean something

With no playoff hopes, the Lions (7-8) still have a reason to beat the Vikings (4-10-1).

“I do think there’s something left to be accomplished to win a game, that’s something we haven’t done enough over these last six weeks,’’ Schwartz said. “To go into the offseason with a win would sort of make us feel a lot better. ... I think any win is good. You only play 16 of them, we’ll play our best to get a win.’’